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Chapter 11: A God's Demise

I struggle to maintain my expression of indifference as I see him, his face a ghastly pale and his breathing shallow. Yet, he retains a look of anger and resistance, making it apparent that even Akito has a will to live that can sustain him. Kureno and I stay back while Hatori approaches and speaks quietly to Akito, who shakes his head yes in a slight motion.

Hatori looks to me and says, "Yuki."

Deciding this means that Akito wants to speak with me, I approach the bed.

He attempts to breathe deeply before quietly saying, "Yuki."

"Yes, Akito."

"I have been giving you everything you could need. Without me - you will never find happiness."

Angered, I decide I will not accept his hallow threat.

"I know that is far from the truth, Akito, and I know you do, too."

He furrows his eyebrows and frowns.

"I'd always suspected, now I'm sure of it. You've seen that bitch."

Before I can answer, he starts to cough violently.

"Akito," Hatori says in a concerned tone.

He shakes his head no, and regains his composure.

He smiles and says, "Then you know what I have done."

"I know what you have tried."

He looks surprised, and it becomes apparent that he is having greater difficulty breathing.

"Your efforts did not break me. Even if she no longer has the memories precious to me, I do."

I turn around and start to exit the room.

"Yu-ki," he tries to shout, but his words come out only as a hoarse whisper.

As I leave, an alarm goes off, and I hear quick footsteps from within the room and in the hallway, though I pay them no heed. I leave the building and step out into the sunlight.

I find a bench near the entrance and sit down, thinking of the conversation with Akito – and her. Like Tohru-san did when I helped her home that day when we were young, I now may be able to find such happiness and peace when I return.

"Yuki."

I look up and see Kureno standing before me, looking upset.

I say nothing, expecting what he will say.

"Akito – has passed."

Having received this confirmation, and knowing the line of authority, with confidence, I make my first decision as the new leader of the Sohma clan.

"Kureno, have Hatori make the necessary arrangements. You may help if you wish."

"If I wish?"

I smile and say, "Yes."

He gives me a perplexed look, but then walks back inside. I also return to the building and use a pay phone to call a taxi, at last starting a series of actions that I had secretly wished to set into motion since I was forced back to the Sohma estate.

When I arrive home, I pay the driver with some of the money I have always kept hidden on me, and enter the estate.

I head to her room and say her name, "Kagura."

I hear noise inside and the door opens.

"Yun-chan?"

I smile and say, "Kagura, please come with me."

Looking uncertain, she answers, "Ok."

I begin to walk while she follows, trailing slightly.

We stop in front of a room and she says nervously, "Yun-chan, this is Hatori's room, we shouldn't be going in here."

I smile once again and open the door. While she hovers at the door, I go inside and open a drawer at his desk, and take out a key. I walk back to her and hold the key out towards her.

"Yun-chan, this is the key to Kyo-kun's cell, isn't it? Akito – Akito won't allow this."

"Akito is no longer the head of the Sohma family."

Her mouth gapes as she replies, "Then Yun-chan, you…"

I smile and say, "Kagura, you're going to see Kyo today."

Her eyes fill with tears but she smiles.

She hugs me and says, "Thank you, Yun-chan, thank you so much!"

As she takes the key, I say, "Kagura, please come and get Kyo to come with you to the main house, I'm gathering all the Juunishi."

She nods her head and runs off.

I turn around and see Momiji and Haru stopped nearby in the hall.

"Yuki, Yuki, is it true?" Momiji asks.

I smile in response and, as I look at them both, say, "Haru, Momiji, please help me gather the Juunishi into the main house."

Momiji nods his head yes while Haru smiles slightly and walks away. Split off towards different houses in the estate, the three of us seek out the other Juunishi.

When I think that all of them, except Hatori and Kureno, are gathered in the room, I look around and make sure Kyo is here, and see him off to the side, leaning against the wall, his eyes closed. Kagura is standing near him, smiling and with tears still flowing. I go to the back of the room and stand in front of the windows. Noticing my movement and silence, the members of the Juunishi present, except Kyo, turn their attention to me. I take a deep breath and begin.